Boston Celtics: 2 draft night trades involving Gordon Hayward

Nabbing the # pick

The first deal is one with a team we have discussed at great lengths here at HH, the New York Knicks. I recently discussed 3-team scenarios involving Hayward wearing orange and blue next season, but this deal involves just two teams.

Boston would be sending out Hayward, Vincent Poirier, and Carsen Edwards while bringing back Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, and Dennis Smith Jr. The two teams would also swap first-round picks in the 2020 draft.

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Shipping out Hayward seems like a foregone conclusion this offseason, so it’s all about maximizing the return. Myles Turner is the most common name thrown around as part of a potential return, but his salary is almost $20 million himself. That’s a steep price to pay for a player who may not actually move the needle closer to banner #18.

This return is a far safer gamble, as the primarily revolves around three young talents still on their rookie-scale contracts in Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, and Dennis Smith Jr. All three have been undervalued on the Knicks, and the chances of the trio reaching their respective next gears would skyrocket exponentially in Boston.

Why the New York Knicks do it

Taking on a few bodies at the bottom of the roster should be more than enough justification for the team to move back six picks to acquire a former All-Star that can immediately help the team be respectable next season.

Remember, this fan base is starved for postseason action after seven straight playoff-less seasons. Hayward would be a savior to this franchise he wouldn’t be viewed as elsewhere. Of course, he’d probably be burned at the stake by the New York media if his injury luck didn’t improve in a contract year.